Machine for trade-marking or branding lumber or timber



I. G. MCDONOUGH.

MACHINE FOR TRADE MARKING 0R BRANDING I UMBER 0R TIMBER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 7| i917. 1,383,552. Patented July 5, 1921.

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WM my# J. G. MCDONOUGH.

MACHINE FOR TRADE MARKING 0R BRANDING LUMBER 0R TIMBER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. I, I9I7.

1,383,552. Patented July 5, 1921.

0 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Q O 24 Z7 27 f e4 ze J. G. McDONOUGH.

MACHINE FOR TRADE MARKING 0R BRANDING LUMBER 0R UMBER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 7. |9I7.

Patented July 5, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Nw uw VIII? UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MACHINE FOR TRADE-MARKING OR BRANDING LUMBER OR TIMBER.

Application filed September 7, 1917.

To all wiz-om it may concern:

Be it known that I, JosnrH G, MCDoNoUGH, a citizen of thel United States, resident of Eau Claire. county of Eau Claire, State of lVisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Trade- Marking or Branding Lumber or Timber, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide an attachment for a machine for handling lumber or timber wherein the pieces are fed endwise or longitudinally between the up er and lower rolls, one piece following the ot er through the machine, which may have' various functions and be equipped for sizing, planing or matching the material or any other` function which would involve a longitudinal or end feed through the machine.

A further object is to provide an attachment wherein the parts are actuated through the pressure of the moving lumber or timber, thereby marking each piece or stick antomatically as it is fed through the machine.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following detailed description.

The invention consists generally in various constructions and combinations, all as hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification,

Figure 1 is a View showing my trademarking device mounted adjacent to the discharge side of the machine through which the lumber or timber is fed,

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, showing the normal position of the marking die at its point of contact with the lumber,

Fig. 3 is a detail plan View, showing the position of the die when it is about to complete the marking operation,

Fig. 4 is a detail View, showing the marking operation completed and the die in its non-working position at one side of the piece of lumber,

Fig. 5 is a Vvertical sectional view through the die and its supporting means, taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 6 is a detail view, showing a modified form of die for printing on the longitudinal edge of the lumber or timber,

Fig. 7 is a detail View of the inking roll,

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of a modified construction-of the attachment,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 5, 1921.

Serial No. 190,158.

F ig. 9 is a plan view, partially in sectlon, of the same,

Fig. 10 is a. detail View. In the drawing, 2 represents the frame of a machine through which lumber or timber is fed for various purposes. This machine is equipped with a suitable number of lower feed rolls-3 and a corresponding number of upper feed rolls 4, yieldin ly held by means of springs 5. Suitable austable' guides 6 and 7 are provided for the upper surface of the lumber or timber and the longitudinal edges thereof and between these guides the lumber is firmly held and fed longitudinally by the movement of the rollers. At the exit of the machine or the point where the lumber or timber is discharged therefrom I provide my improved trade-markin device, mounted to automatically print gures or characters of any suitable design on a vertical surface of the lumber or timber as it passes out of the machine.

In carrying out my invention, I provide a suitable base 8 secured to a support 9 adjacent to the machine. In this base I mount an upright stud 10. A hub 11 is journaled on said stub and is provided with an arm 12 having an upright pivot pin 13 for a die carrier 14. The carrier is centrally mounted on the stud and is somewhat elongated in form and preferably provided at each end with dies 15 which are curved slightly to tit the corresponding end surfaces of the carrier. These dies may be rigidly or removably mounted on the ends of the carrier, as preferred. The hub 11 is secured to the barrel 17 of an ordinary spring door check of the type usually used for closing a door without slamming, and including a dashpot arrangement and springwith provision for increasing or decreasing the tension of the spring according to the size and weight of the door. This device is of ordinary construction, readily purchased in the market, and I have not thought it necessary to illustrate or describe it in detail herein, it being sufficient to state that its arm 18 has a pivoted link connection 19 with a fixed support such as the frame 2 of the machine and the function of the check is to yieldingly resist movement of the die from its normal, inactive position, as shown in Fig. 2. As there illustrated, the die carrier is provided with pins 20 which normally rest against an arm 21 which is secured at 22 to the base 8 and is capable of adjustment thereon to vary its position and point of checking the die carrier, according` to the dimensions of the lulnber or timber to be marked. As shown in Fig. 2 the stop arm 21 is positioned so that the branding or marking face of the die in the path of the lumber will contact with the end surface of the lumber near one ot' its longitudinal edges, so that the brandingr or marking operation will begin as near as possible to one end of such surface and make the impression or brand the full len th of the surface. This allows for a repetition of the trade-mark and insures atleast one good impression, assuming that by reason of knots, pitch, or other imperfections a portion of the surface may be in such a condition that one impression of the brand or mark would not be legible.

A bracket 23 is secured to the arm 12 and supports an inking wheel 24 mounted on a vertical axis in the path of the die carrier tor contact therewith at suitable intervals. Then the piece of lumber or timber contacts with the die. as shown in Fig. 2, it will gradually swing it from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that illustrated in Fig. 3, where the die is indicated as having rocked entirely across the end face of thepiece of lumber. During this movement the arm 12 will swing on its pivot against the resistance of the door check and as the die passes out of contact with the end face of the lumber it will swing into contact with its adjacent longitudinal edge, as indicated in Fig. l. and slide along this edge. while the lumber continues its movement out of the machine. As soon as the pieces of lumber or timber have passed on out of the path of the arm 12, the door check will return said arm and the die carrier to their normal position. as shown in Fig. 2, and the pins 20, contacting with the stop or guide arm 21, will set the die in its proper position for engaging the next piece of lumber. In this way each piece of lumber or timber passing longitudinally out of the machine. will be automatically trade-marked or branded.

In some instances it may be desirable to mark the longitudinal edge of the lumber and I therefore provide a circular die 25 which may be placed on the stud 13 when the Parrier 14 is removed. This die 25 is provided with the same stop pins 20 to engage the guide arm 21, the only difference being that it will roll across the end of the piece of lumber and then perform a similar operation on the adjacent longitudinal edge thereof. In other respects its operation will be the same as that of the carrier described.

The inking wheel 24 is mounted in a carrier 26 on an upright stud 27 and has an ink chamber'28 with ports 29 therein leading to the Wheel, rotation of the wheel on its carrier being prevented by pins 30 which pass down through the bottom of the ink chambers into the Wheel.

In Figs. S and 9 I have illustrated a modified construction, which consists in mounting the entire branding attachment, as shown in the previous figures, upon a supporting bracket 31 journaled to swing horizontally on a vertical axis 32 that is carried by a bracket 32'. A cable 33 is attached to the bracket 31. passes over a sheave 3-1 and is provided with a weight The pull of this weight normally tends to swing the branding device on the upright axis 32 into the path of the lumber and allow the device to accommmlate itself to timber that is warped late ally or is twisted so that its edges are not straight or properly alined to receive the trade-marking characters. Lugs 31 and 33 are provided on the brackets 31 and 32y in position to contact with each other and limit the backward oscillation of the bracket 31 and the trade-marking device carried thereby.

An anti-friction wheel 3G is adjustably mounted on the guide arm 21 to contact with the longitudinal edge of the lumber and direct it against the face of the die, and a wheel 3T is preferably mounted on an arm 38 which has a horizontal pivot 39 on a hub t() that is carried by the upright stud 32. said horizontal pivot having a rotary adjustment in a bearing 41 tor adjusting the ywheel 3T toward or from the upper surface oi. the lumber or timber. according to the dimensions thereof. To this hub 4() the pivotal connection of the door check device may be made, as indicated in Fig. 9.

The operation ot the die proper is substantially the same as described with reference to the previous figures. the only difference in this modification being that the die plate or base on which the door check and the die carrier are niountedlias an oscillation in a horizontal plane to adapt the device particularly for imperfect or, irregular pieces of lumber or timber.

In Fig. 1() I have shown a modification of the die returning means which consists of a toothed disk 44 loosely mounted on the stud`10and resting upon the hub 11. A pawl -lf-is mounted upon the arm 12 in position to engage the teeth of the disk 44. A coiled spring 46 has one end attached to said disk and its opposite end is secured to the stud 10. The tension .of the spring can be increased or diminished by the adjustment of the pawl on the-disk. This device takes the place of the door check and has the function of swinging the trade-marking device around into the path ot a piece ot lumber or timber when the marking of a preceding piece has been completed.

I also prefer to provide an arm 42 on the upright stud 32 carrying the anti-friction wheel 43 which bears on the edge of the piece of lumber or timber opposite the die and may be used when the above described circular die is employed for marking the longitudinal edge of the piece of lumber. The function of this Wheel is to hold the longitudinal edge up against the die. It can be mounted, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 9, and carried by a shorter arm and in advance of the die. In this position it would also have the function of holding the piece of lumber or timber from moving laterally when it contacts with the wheel 36. Il also prefer to provide a wheel 47 carried by an arm 48 that is pivotally mounted in the hub 49 on the shaft 32. This Wheel has the function of guiding the material to be marked to the die. J

In the operation of the machine, the piece of lumber or timber (the die being adapted for marking timber as Well as lumber, though modification in the feeding means may be required) is delivered from between the feed rolls into contact with the branding die and as the ressure of th'e die face increases, the carrier will be rocked across the end surface of the piece to be marked and an impression or series of impressions will be made in or on the wood. When the die has moved entirely across the piece of lumber 0r timber, the carrier, assuming that .the elongated one is used, will assume a pos1t1on parallelwith the moving lumber and slide along its longitudinal edge until the end is reached. The door check or other returning device will then perform its function to swing the carrier and die in a horizontal plane back to its normal lumber-engaging position, Where the stop pins will set the carrier in the path of the succeeding piece of lumber. The operation above described will then be repeated.

If the circular die is used, then the impression will be made on the longitudinal edge of the lumber or timber, as well as across the end surface. In case of warped or twisted pieces of lumber, the anti-friction Wheels engaging the same Will hold it in proper position to receive the impression or brand of the die.

I do not Wish to be confined to the application of this trade-marking apparatus to any particular type of machine, as it may be used in connection with a feeding means of any kind in which the lumber or timber is advanced endWise or longitudinally and the branding device may be arranged to apply its impression or mark, or other identifying means, to any surface of the lumber desired and make as many impressions as necessary for proper identification of the lumber or timber.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination, with means for'feeding lumber or timber longitudinally, of a trade-marking or identifying device having an oscillating movement in the path of the lumber for marking the vertical end surface thereof, the lumber being marked through the pressure of its feeding movement on the trade-marking device.

2. The combination, \vith means for feedingvlumber or timber longitudinally, of a trade-marking device in the path of the lumber having an ,oscillating movement transversely of the lumber for applying an identifying mark to a vertical surface thereof.

3. The combination, with upper and lower rolls between which the pieces of lumber or timber are fed longitudinally, of a trademarking device positioned to apply an identifying mark to a vertical transverse surface of the lumber, said trade-marking de vice having a movement in a horizontal plane transversely of the lumber in applying the mark thereto,

4. The combination, with means for feeding lumber or timber longitudinally, of a trade-marking device mounted to rock across a vertical surface of the lumber to apply an identifying mark thereon and move out of the path of the lumber by pressure'of the lumber thereon.

5. The combination, with means for feeding lumber or timber longitudinally, of a trade-marking die positioned to contact with the end surface of the lumber near one longitudinal edge and having a rocking movement on said surface through pressure of the lumber thereon.

6. The combination, with means for feeding lumber or timber longitudinally, of a trade-marking die mounted to initially engage the end surface of the lumber near one longitudinal edge and rock on said surface across the lumber, said trade-marking die having a further movement to clear the lumber, and means for yieldingly holding said trade-marking die against a longitudinal edge of the lumber.

7. The combination, with means for moving lumber or timber longitudinally, of a die carrier mounted to revolve on a vertical axis and having curved dies thereon in the path of the lumber, said die carrier having a movement through pressure of the lumber on said die laterally' out of the path of the lumber.

8. The combination, with means for feeding lumber or timber longitudinally, of a rocking die carrier, a pivoted support Whereon said carrier is mounted to swing out of the path of the lumber, Said die carrier having a rocking movement on the end surface of the lumber to place an identifying mark thereon, and assuming a position at one side of' the ylumber through the lateral movement of said carrier support when the marking operation is completed.

9. The combination, with means for feeding lumber longitudinally, of a die carrier and die mounted in the path of the lumber to be engaged thereby, said carrier rocking on a vertical axis to apply an identifying mark to the end surface of the lumber, and means for positioning said carrier with respect to its initial contact with such end surface.

10. The combination, with means for feeding lumber longitudinally, of a die carrier and die mounted to swing across an end surface of the lumber, a pivoted support for said die carrier mounted to -move with said die carrier out of the path of the lumber when the marking operation is completed.

11. The combination, with means for feeding lumber longitudinally, of a die carrier and die mounted to move across the lumber to apply an identifying mark thereto, a support for said die carrier mounted to swing on a vertical axis and actuated through pressure of the lumber for moving said die carrier out of the path of the lumber when the marking operation is completed.

12. The combination, with means for moving lumber longitudinally, of a die carrier and die mounted to move across the end surface of the lumber to mark the same, a support for said die carrier mounted to move said die carrier out of the path of the lumber when the marking operation is completed, said support having means for yieldingly resisting such movement and holding said die carrier against a longitudinal edge of the lumber following the marking operation.

13. The combination, with means for feeding lumber or timber, of a support mounted to swing on a vertical axis, a die carrier mounted on said support and having a revolving movement and normally in the path of the moving lumber, said die carrier having a. movement across a vertical surface of the lumber for marking the same and said support having a movement with said carrier out of the path of the lumber under pressure thereof.

14.. The combination, with means for feeding lumber or timber longitudinally, 4of a trade-marking device positioned to contact with a vertical end surface of the lumber and be actuated by the pressure of the lumber thereon to make an identifying mark or impression. and means for holding the lumber in position with respect to said trade-marking device.

15. The combination, with means for feeding lumber or timber longitudinally, of a ydie carrier .and die mounted to move across the vertical end surface of the lumber under pressure of the lumber thereon, a support for said carrier also mounted to move under pressure of the lumberto position said carrier out of the path of the same when the marking operation is completed, said carrier having pins thereon and a guide arm in the path of said pins for positioning said carrier with respect to the lumber to be marked.

16. The combination, with means for feeding lumber or timber longitudinally, of a die carrier and die mounted to revolve and positioned to contact with an end suridentifying device positioned to mark'a vertical end surface of the lumber and mounted to oscillate in a horizontal plane and assume a position at one side of the lumber when the marking operation has been completed.

18. The combination, with means for feeding lumber or timber longitudinally, of an identifying device positioned in the path of the lumber to be engaged by the forward end of the lumber for marking a vertical surface thereof, said identifying device having a rocking movement across the surface of the lumber.

19. The combination, with means for feeding lumber or timber longitudinally, of an identifying device positioned in the path of the lumber to be engaged by the forward end of the lumber for marking a vertical surface thereof, the pressure of the lumber moving said identifying device out of the path of the lumber when the marking operation is completed, said identifying device being mounted to resist sufficiently the pressure of the lumber to impress the identifying mark in the surface of the lumber.

20. The combination, with the lumber or timber feeding rolls, of an identifying device mounted in the path of the lumber for marking the forward portion-thereof, said identifying device being actuated through the engagement of the forward end of the lumber therewith. Y

21. The combination, with means for feeding lumber longitudinally and holding it against backward movement, of an identifying device mounted to apply an identifying mark to a forward surface of the lumber. said identifying device being moved on a vertical axis to a point at one side of the lumber through the pressure of the lumber thereon.

22. The combination, with means for feeding lumber or timber and holding it against endwise movement, of an identifying device mounted in the path of the lumber to be engaged by the forward portion thereof to means actuated through the pressure of the lumber for moving said die carrier out of the path of the lumber when the marking .operation is completed.

24. The combination, with means for positively feeding lumber or timber, of a trademarking device mounted-in the path of the lumber to mark the end surface thereof, the mark being applied through pressure of the positively fed lumber against said device, and said device having a movement out of the path of the lumber when the marking operation is completed.

25. The combination, with lumber or timber feeding rolls, of a trade-marking device mounted to apply an identification mark to the surface of the lumber, the marking operation being efected through pressure of the positively fed lumber on said marking device, and said device being mounted for movement out of the path of the lumber when the marking operation is completed.

26. The combination, with means .for feeding lumber or timber, of a marking device mounted to apply an identification mark to a surface of the lumber, the marking operation being performed through pressure of the lumber upon said device, and said device being mounted for movement bodily out of the path of the lumber when the marking operation is completed.

27. The combination, with lumber or timber feeding rolls, of an oscillating die mounted to mark only the forward portion of a piece of lumber of any length, said device having a means normally positioned in the path of the lumber and actuated by the forward end of each piece of feeding lumber or timber for turning said die on its axis to contact with a surface to be marked.

28. The combination, with means for feeding lumber lengthwise, of an oscillating identifying device' mounted to mark only the forward portion of lumber of any length, said device having a means normally positioned in the path of the lumber to be actuated by the forward end thereof and thereby turn said device on its axis to engage a forward ortion of the piece to be marked.

29. he combination, with means for feeding lumber or timber and holding it against endwise movement, of an identifying device mounted in the path of the lumber to be engaged by the forward portion thereof to appl an identifying mark thereon, said identi ying device having a movement over the surface to be marked.

lfn witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 4th da of September, 1917.

JOSEP Gr. MGDONOUGH. Witnesses:

C. P. KING,

S. F. Voonrmns. 

